Efforts by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Taraba State to attract private sector investment, strengthen livestock value chains, and position the state’s livestock service centre as a key hub for livestock development are beginning to yield positive results.
This followed an investment sensitization tour undertaken by an L-PRES delegation led by the state project coordinator and other core officials across Taraba and Adamawa States.
The outreach targeted major livestock and dairy enterprises, including Sebore Farms, Admiral A Milk Collection Centre in Mayo-Belwa, Dabareje Farms, Bagobiri Farms, Ardo Yahaya Milk Collection and Processing Centre, and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NVMA MPCS) in Nguroje and Mutum Biu.
According to the project team, the visits were aimed at showcasing investment opportunities at the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre and encouraging partnerships that would enhance livestock production, processing, and marketing across the region.
During a visit to Sebore Farms in Adamawa State, the delegation was received by the company’s General Manager, Mr. Suleiman Abbas, and senior management staff.
Representing the state project coordinator, the value chain/market linkage officer outlined the vision behind the livestock service centre and highlighted ongoing infrastructure development efforts by L-PRES, including the provision of access roads, electricity, water supply, perimeter fencing, and an administrative block.
Responding, Abbas described the engagement as timely and strategic, revealing that Taraba State currently supplies about 35 percent of the milk processed by Sebore Farms into products such as yoghurt, cheese, and butter.
He disclosed that the company presently produces about 1,500 litres of yoghurt daily, representing only 20 per cent of its installed production capacity.
Abbas further noted that Sebore Farms operates milk collection centres in Sunkani, Maisamari, Turakeke, and Gembu, with Sunkani serving as its major operational hub.
He pointed out that Sunkani is also the designated site for the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre.
The Sebore Farms boss announced plans to establish a modern milk collection centre and a one-stop livestock service facility in Sunkani, while also exploring opportunities to replicate the company’s successful dairy model in Taraba State.
He expressed appreciation to the L-PRES team for the engagement and pledged the company’s readiness to invest in the livestock service centre.
He added that a delegation from Sebore Farms would soon visit Taraba State to advance discussions and finalize investment arrangements.
The delegation was later conducted round the facility, where members observed various dairy production units and operational processes.
At the Admiral A Milk Collection Centre in Mayo-Belwa, the team was received by the centre Manager, Mr. Abdulrasheed, who explained that the facility handles milk collection, quality testing, cooling, and transportation to Sebore Farms for processing.
According to him, the centre cools milk to between four and six degrees celsius before dispatching it for further processing into yoghurt and other dairy products.
Abdulrasheed also highlighted the centre’s cooperative-based clustering model, which organizes pastoralists into groups and provides support through training, veterinary services, motorcycles, and milking cans to improve milk collection and supply.
He noted that the centre purchases milk at competitive rates and offers performance-based bonuses to both individual pastoralists and cooperatives.
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Members of the delegation inspected the facility and expressed particular interest in the locally fabricated motorcycle-mounted milking cans used by pastoralists for milk transportation.
The investment sensitization tour also featured engagements with Ardo Yahaya Global Ventures, Bagobiri Private Slaughter Facility, Sardauna Farms, Mutum Biu Farms, and officials of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Taraba State chapter.
L-PRES officials said the outreach forms part of broader efforts to deepen private sector participation in the livestock sector, strengthen value chains, and transform the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre into a strategic centre for livestock development, processing, and investment in the North-East region.
